Word Origin & History

sheep O.E. sceap, scep, from W.Gmc. *skæpan (cf. O.S. scap, O.Fris. skep, M.L.G. schap, M.Du. scaep, Du. schaap, O.H.G. scaf, Ger. Schaf), of unknown origin. Not found in Scand. or Goth., and with no known cognates outside Gmc. The more usual I.E. word for the animal is represented by ewe. As a type of timidity, from O.E.; the meaning "stupid, timid person" is attested from 1542. The image of the wolf in sheep's clothing was in O.E. (from Matt. vii.15); that of separating the sheep from the goats is from Matt. xxv.33. To count sheep in a bid to induce sleep is recorded from 1854. Sheep's ...eyes "loving looks" is attested from 1529 (cf. W.Fris. skiepseach, Du. schaapsoog, Ger. Schafsauge).